Academics

Aspen Ranch has a focused academic program, that is fully accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, licensed by the State of Utah for residential treatment, and a California Approved Non-Public School. All academic classes are taught by Utah Certified Teachers. Aspen Ranch combines the rigorous academics of a private boarding school with the intensive therapy of an adolescent residential treatment facility in a Ranch setting.  We offer our best in both therapy and education. Aspen Ranch provides opportunities for students to reach their intellectual capacity and to become actively involved through various experiential learning activities.  Aspen Ranch uses a collaborative learning environment where critical thinking is the focus. Teachers work closely with the therapists and residential staff to incorporate specific therapeutic objectives.  Aspen Ranch academic program is designed to maximize student learning, foster a joy of learning, and also utilize a unique credit recovery program. Success is achieved when academics enable students to gain increased self-esteem, self-awareness, self-confidence, self-reliance and self-management.

The Aspen Ranch academic program offers the following programs and services:

COURSES OFFERED

The academic program at Aspen Ranch offers single gender classrooms with a maximum of 12 students. Specific classes are scheduled each semester primarily on need however other considerations are taken into account. The Academic Program at Aspen Ranch offers core classes needed to earn a high school diploma.

Aspen Ranch High School

• Academic Core Classes (All grade levels available), taught in the Academic Building
• English
• Science: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Human Anatomy
• Mathematics: Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus
• Social Studies: American History, World History, Geography, Government
• Foreign Language: Spanish I and II
• Financial Literature
• Computer Technology
• Health
• Experiential Core Classes—taught outside, in their dorms, and in the Academic Building
• Art
• Physical Education
• Teen Living: Group Therapy, Recreational Therapy, Addictions Group, Individual Therapy
• Horsemanship: Equine, EAP (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy) 
• Electives
• A Wide Variety of courses available through Brigham Young University and the Utah Electronic High School.

THE ABILITY TO EARN A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

• Aspen Ranch students actively work toward receiving a high school diploma. If a student earns all required credits while at Aspen Ranch, they will be awarded a diploma from Aspen Ranch. Otherwise, Aspen Ranch will issue an official transcript to a successive school so the student can continue pursuing this goal.
• By earning a high school diploma the student builds a foundation of learning and knowledge expected of a young adult in this society. This is a beginning to being able to function in a complex and changing world, and can lead to obtaining viable employment and/or pursing a post-secondary education.

SELF DISCIPLINE

• It is necessary for students to develop self discipline to complete assignments, classes and a diploma. Self discipline means not only the ability to complete things that are unpleasant and difficult, but also the ability to stay focused, remain persistent, and be organized. This trait serves the student throughout their lifetime.

COURSE LOAD and SCHEDULE

• Young men and young women attend classes separately.  In the morning the young women meet in the Academic building while the young men participate in experiential learning courses.  In the afternoon, young men meet in the Academic building while the young women participate in experiential learning courses. 
• Aspen Ranch students participate in four Academic and three Experiential Core classes daily. Academic courses are 55 minutes in duration while experiential courses are 80 minutes long.  The school day begins at 8:00a.m. and ends at 4:30p.m. Students receive a 50 minute lunch. Fridays focus exclusively on experiential core courses. 
• Half credit courses are divided up into 8 unit blocks.  Credit courses are divided up into 16 unit blocks. Units are either completed in two week or one month blocks. Our courses allow for students to move ahead in the curriculum.  Traditional limits are not used to govern students who want to excel.
• Students may earn at least 7 credits in a 12 month period of time. Because of scheduling constraints, the sequencing of classes may appear different than that in a traditional school setting. However, over the course of 12 months, sequencing of classes is very similar to that of a traditional school.

TRACKING STUDENT PROGRESS

• Each student is assigned a therapist on entering the program, and these therapists have their offices in the school or in the administrative building right next door, allowing for optimal contact with students.
• The academic progress of each student is as important to their overall emotional growth as each other aspect of the program, and the therapists assist students in being aware of the value of that progress.
• The treatment team that each student is a part of also has an assigned academic advisor, who is one of the teachers at the school. With these advisors going over daily academic "tracking sheets" from each student on their team and reporting back to parents regularly, parents are aware of their student's placement, progress, and attitude during their time spent at the school. The Ranch faculty meet on a weekly basis to problem solve, exchange ideas, and move toward making the academic program stronger and better for its students.

STUDENT CENTERED FOCUS

One of the strongest characteristics of the school is its ability to work with students previously thought unreachable or unable to learn; students who have failed in other school systems. Students who gave up studying or skipped classes or simply did not care about academics in their other schools can be found at Aspen striving to learn, interested in catching up on their schoolwork, and graduating.

• Aspen Ranch students have been awarded full scholarships to top schools in the country.
• The Ranch also offers students the opportunity to start college courses via the Internet if they are finished with school yet want to continue learning during the duration of their stay at the Ranch.
• The Ranch will also coordinate each student's academic program with future schools when a student is ready to leave the Ranch.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

• At the Ranch, classes offer students the ability to do "hands-on" work as well as to learn at their own pace.
• The small lake on the property allows for science experiments and observation, and there are opportunities for field trips to the stunning natural areas that surround the Ranch.
• The rich and colorful background of the local area lends itself to history classes.
• All classes offered at the Ranch can be experiential in nature yet still offer the core basics needed to provide students with curriculum completion and graduation if so desired. Students are also afforded the opportunity to study for and take the G.E.D. as well as all college entrance exams, including the S.A.T.
• In addition to the Aspen Ranch Academic program, students can participate in school-sponsored extra-curricular activities and off campus trips that promote further academic and personal growth through supervised activities.
• Instructors use creative approaches in their classes, which includes taking advantage of Aspen Ranch’s unique location in central Utah to draw upon local cultural, historic, and geologic riches.
• On Friday’s students share in team building high adventure activities with their Academic Advisor, Therapist, and Residential coach.